The CIC has launched an Education Manifesto that seeks to improve the construction industry's image and help boost graduate recruitment.
The strategy hopes to address what Jim Low of CIC's Education Forum called a "severe skills shortage."

In the last five years university course applications are down dramatically: 34% in architecture and around 50% for building and civil engineering. The number of manual workers aged 20-24 has also dropped from 240 000 in 1990 to 110 000 in 2000.

The manifesto stresses the need to encourage interest at a grass roots level, particularly in schools. "We should show that we are about problem solving and helping the environment and not just about building sites," said Jim Low, who added that a slicker image needed to be promoted in schools with presentations and CD-Roms that show "the breadth and opportunity the industry offers."

Nicholas Bennett, Chief Executive of the Association of Consulting Engineers agreed. "At the moment the image of the construction industry sucks" he said.

The CIC sees the key to changing the poor profile as greater cohesion between its 52 affiliated bodies. It identified two reasons for failing to attract quality graduates: money and overseas students. "By 2001 we have to see more starting salaries at £20 000," said Jim Low.

On overseas students, Nicholas Bennett said: "In one university I visited, 20 students were British and 60 were from overseas. They train here, fill up course places, then take away their expertise when they go home."

Bennett believes that the construction industry is losing its technological continuity as a result.

Source

Building Sustainable Design